Boosting Electrocatalytic N2 Reduction to NH3 by Enhancing N2 Activation via Interaction between Au Nanoparticles and MIL-101(Fe) in Neutral Electrolytes.

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has attracted much attention as a sustainable ammonia production technology, but it needs further exploration due to its slow kinetics and the existence of competitive side reactions. In this research, xAu/MIL-101(Fe) catalysts were obtained by loading gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) onto MIL-101(Fe) using a one-step reduction strategy. Herein, MIL-101(Fe), with high specific surface area and strong N2 adsorption capacity, is used as a support to disperse Au NPs to increase the electrochemical active surface area. Au NPs, with a high NRR activity, is introduced as the active site to promote charge transfer and intermediate formation rates. More importantly, the strong interaction between Au NPs and MIL-101(Fe) enhances the electron transfer between Au NPs and MIL-101(Fe), thereby enhancing the activation of N2 and achieving efficient NRR. Among the prepared catalysts, 15 %Au/MIL-101(Fe) has the highest NH3 yield of 46.37 µg h-1 mg-1 cat and a Faraday efficiency of 39.38 % at -0.4 V (vs. RHE). In-situ FTIR reveals that the NRR mechanism of 15 %Au/MIL-101(Fe) follows the binding alternating pathway and also indicates that the interaction between Au NPs and MIL-101(Fe) strengthens the activation of the N≡N bond in the rate-limiting process, thereby accelerating the NRR process.

Crystal-Phase and Surface-Structure Engineering of Bi2O3 for Enhanced Electrochemical N2 Fixation to NH3.

The nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) for ammonia synthesis is hindered by weak N2 adsorption/activation abilities and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, αBi2O3 (monoclinic) and ßBi2O3 (tetragonal) were first synthesized by calcination at different temperatures. Experiments and calculations revealed the effects of Bi2O3 with different crystal phases on N2 adsorption/activation abilities and HER. Then, αBi2O3-x and ßBi2O3-x series catalysts with surface oxygen vacancies (OVs) and Bi0 active sites were synthesized through the partial in situ reduction method. The results demonstrate the following: (I) Tetragonal ßBi2O3 can better adsorb N2 and cleave the N≡N bond, thereby obtaining a lower NRR rate-limiting energy barrier (*N≡N → *N≡N-H, 0.51 eV). Meanwhile, ßBi2O3 can effectively suppress HER by limiting proton adsorption (H+ + e- → *H, 0.54 eV). Therefore, ßBi2O3-x series catalysts exhibit higher NH3 yield and FE than αBi2O3-x. Meanwhile, in situ FTIR further confirms that ßBi2O3 could better adsorb/activate N2, and the NRR distal mechanism occurs on the Bi2O3 surface. (II) The introduction of NaBH4 promotes the conversion of part of Bi3+ on the Bi2O3 surface into Bi0 and releases OVs. The additional active sites (OVs and Bi0) enhance the overall catalyst's adsorption/activation capacity for N2, further increasing the NH3 yield and FE. Meanwhile, semimetal Bi0 can effectively limit electron accessibility, thereby inhibiting the combination of charges and adsorbed protons, reducing the HER reaction and improving the FE of NRR. Therefore, the introduction of NaBH4 effectively improved the NH3 yield and FE of the αBi2O3-x and ßBi2O3-x series catalysts. After optimization, the ßBi2O3-0.6 catalyst has the best NRR performance (NH3 yield: 51.36 µg h-1 mg-1cat.; FE: 38.67%), which is superior to the majority of bismuth-based NRR catalysts. This work not only studies the effects of Bi2O3 with different crystal phases on N2 and HER reaction but also effectively regulates the active components of Bi2O3 surface, thereby realizing efficient NRR to NH3 reaction, which provide valuable insights for the rational design of Bi-based NRR electrocatalysts.

FeN3 S1 ─OH Single-Atom Sites Anchored on Hollow Porous Carbon for Highly Efficient pH-Universal Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Regulating the asymmetric active center of a single-atom catalyst to optimize the binding energy is critical but challenging to improve the overall efficiency of the electrocatalysts. Herein, an effective strategy is developed by introducing an axial hydroxyl (OH) group to the Fe─N4 center, simultaneously assisting with the further construction of asymmetric configurations by replacing one N atom with one S atom, forming FeN3 S1 ─OH configuration. This novel structure can optimize the electronic structure and d-band center shift to reduce the reaction energy barrier, thereby promoting oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic activities. The optimal catalyst, FeSA -S/N-C (FeN3 S1 ─OH anchored on hollow porous carbon) displays remarkable ORR performance with a half-wave potential of 0.92, 0.78, and 0.64 V versus RHE in 0.1 m KOH, 0.5 m H2 SO4 , and 0.1 m PBS, respectively. The rechargeable liquid Zn-air batteries (LZABs) equipped with FeSA -S/N-C display a higher power density of 128.35 mW cm-2 , long-term operational stability of over 500 h, and outstanding reversibility. More importantly, the corresponding flexible solid-state ZABs (FSZABs@FeSA -S/N-C) display negligible voltage changes at different bending angles during the charging and discharging processes. This work provides a new perspective for the design and optimization of asymmetric configuration for single-atom catalysts applied to the area of energy conversion and storage.

3D Hollow Hierarchical Porous Carbon with Fe-N4 -OH Single-Atom Sites for High-Performance Zn-Air Batteries.

The development of innovative and efficient Fe-N-C catalysts is crucial for the widespread application of zinc-air batteries (ZABs), where the inherent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of Fe single-atom sites needs to be optimized to meet the practical application. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) hollow hierarchical porous electrocatalyst (ZIF8@FePMPDA-920) rich in asymmetric Fe-N4 -OH moieties as the single atomic sites is reported. The Fe center is in a penta-coordinated geometry with four N atoms and one O atom to form Fe-N4 -OH configuration. Compared to conventional Fe-N4 configuration, this unique structure can weaken the adsorption of intermediates by reducing the electron density of the Fe center for oxygen binding, which decreases the energy barrier of the rate-determining steps (RDS) to accelerate the ORR and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) processes for ZABs. The rechargeable liquid ZABs (LZABs) equipped with ZIF8@FePMPDA-920 display a high power density of 123.11 mW cm-2 and a long cycle life (300 h). The relevant flexible all-solid-state ZABs (FASSZABs) also display outstanding foldability and cyclical stability. This work provides a new perspective for the structural design of single-atom catalysts in the energy conversion and storage areas.

Ca2+-dependent TaCCD1 cooperates with TaSAUR215 to enhance plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity and alkali stress tolerance by inhibiting PP2C-mediated dephosphorylation of TaHA2 in wheat.

Alkali stress is a major constraint for crop production in many regions of saline-alkali land. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which wheat responds to alkali stress. In this study, we identified a calcium ion-binding protein from wheat, TaCCD1, which is critical for regulating the plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase-mediated alkali stress response. PM H+-ATPase activity is closely related to alkali tolerance in the wheat variety Shanrong 4 (SR4). We found that two D-clade type 2C protein phosphatases, TaPP2C.D1 and TaPP2C.D8 (TaPP2C.D1/8), negatively modulate alkali stress tolerance by dephosphorylating the penultimate threonine residue (Thr926) of TaHA2 and thereby inhibiting PM H+-ATPase activity. Alkali stress induces the expression of TaCCD1 in SR4, and TaCCD1 interacts with TaSAUR215, an early auxin-responsive protein. These responses are both dependent on calcium signaling triggered by alkali stress. TaCCD1 enhances the inhibitory effect of TaSAUR215 on TaPP2C.D1/8 activity, thereby promoting the activity of the PM H+-ATPase TaHA2 and alkali stress tolerance in wheat. Functional and genetic analyses verified the effects of these genes in response to alkali stress, indicating that TaPP2C.D1/8 function downstream of TaSAUR215 and TaCCD1. Collectively, this study uncovers a new signaling pathway that regulates wheat responses to alkali stress, in which Ca2+-dependent TaCCD1 cooperates with TaSAUR215 to enhance PM H+-ATPase activity and alkali stress tolerance by inhibiting TaPP2C.D1/8-mediated dephosphorylation of PM H+-ATPase TaHA2 in wheat.

Hydrogen evolution boosted by moderate Co3ZnC with current densities beyond 1000 mA cm-2.

Co3ZnC can efficiently boost the activity of Co@N, O co-doped carbons for hydrogen evolution. The results show that moderate Co3ZnC plays key roles in achieving an appropriate weighted Co 3d band centre, enhancing charger transfer and thus optimizing the electrochemical active surface area. Thus, a low overpotential of ∼219 mV can drive a high current density of 1000 mA cm-2 under the favourable condition of moderate Co3ZnC.

NiCo2O4 nanoparticles rich in oxygen vacancies: Salt-Assisted preparation and boosted water splitting.

NiCo2O4 is a promising catalyst toward water splitting to hydrogen. However, low conductivity and limited active sites on the surfaces hinder the practical applications of NiCo2O4 in water splitting. Herein, small sized NiCo2O4 nanoparticles rich in oxygen vacancies were prepared by a simple salt-assisted method. Under the assistance of KCl, the formed NiCo2O4 nanoparticles have abundant oxygen vacancies, which can increase surface active sites and improve charge transfer efficiency. In addition, KCl can effectively limit the growth of NiCo2O4, and thus reduces its size. In comparison with NiCo2O4 without the assistance of KCl, both the richer oxygen vacancies and the reduced nanoparticle sizes are favorable for the optimal NiCo2O4-2KCl to expose more active sites and increase electrochemical active surface area. As a result, it needs only the overpotentials of 129 and 304 mV to drive hydrogen and oxygen evolution at 10 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH, respectively. When NiCo2O4-2KCl is applied in a symmetrical water splitting cell, a voltage of ∼1.66 V is only required to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm-2. This work shows that the salt-assisted method is an efficient method of developing highly active catalysts toward water splitting to hydrogen.

Defective UiO-66-NH2 Functionalized with Stable Superoxide Radicals toward Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction with High Faradaic Efficiency.

The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) to NH3 is limited by low Faradaic efficiency (FE). Herein, defective UiO-66-NH2 functionalized with quite stable superoxide radicals (O2•) is developed as a highly active NRR catalyst. The experimental and computational results show that one linker per Zr6 node is missed and two Zr atoms are exposed in the defective UiO-66-NH2. One of the two exposed Zr atoms can stably adsorb O2•, and thus, a Zr-OO• site forms during the preparations without light excitation or postoxidation, while the other Zr atom is activated as an active site. The synergistic effects of the two Zr sites in the defective UiO-66-NH2 suppress hydrogen and hydrazine evolutions considerably. They are as follows: (i) due to repulsion of the proton on the active Zr site and stabilization of the proton on the Zr-OO• site, the active Zr site is unfavorable for the adsorption of the proton with a high energy barrier, which is the HER rate-determining step (RDS); (ii) under the assistance of the OO• of the Zr-OO• site, the first hydrogenation step of *N2 (i.e., NRR RDS) on the active Zr site is promoted; and (iii) relying on the assistance of the OO• of the Zr-OO• site, the continuous hydrogenation of *NH2NH2 to produce NH3 on the active Zr site is spontaneously exothermic, whereas its desorption to hydrazine is blocked. Accordingly, an extremely high FE of ∼85.21% has been realized along with a high yield rate of NH3 (∼52.81 µg h-1 mgcat-1). To the best of our knowledge, it is the highest FE that has been achieved in recent years. Radical scavenging treatment of the defective UiO-66-NH2 and detailed investigations of two categories of control samples further verify the favorable effects of the O2• that closely correlates with the missed linkers on the performance of the NRR to NH3. This work opens a new way toward highly efficient NRR catalysts, i.e., stable radical-activating defective metal-organic frameworks.

Hybridization affects the structure and function of root microbiome by altering gene expression in roots of wheat introgression line under saline-alkali stress.

The mutually beneficial relationship between plants and their root microbiota is essential for plants to adapt to unfavorable environments. However, the molecular mechanism of wheat regulating the structure of root microbiome and the influence of distant hybridization on this process are poorly understood. In this study, we systematically compared the root transcriptome and microbiome between a saline-alkali tolerant wheat introgression line SR4 (derived from somatic hybridization between wheat and tall wheatgrass) and its parent wheat variety JN177. The results indicated that root microorganisms were key factor maintaining better homeostasis of the sodium and potassium ion contents in SR4 than in JN177 under saline-alkali stress. Through systematic comparisons, we identified SR4-specific root bacterial and fungal taxa under saline-alkali stress. Through a weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) combining microbiome and transcriptome data, key functional genes and pathways, which were strongly related to root bacteria and fungi with differential abundance between JN177 and SR4, were identified. These results suggest that somatic hybridization has altered the key genes regulating root microbiome in wheat, further improving the saline-alkali tolerance of wheat introgression line. These findings provide the key bacterial and fungal taxa and functional target genes for wheat root microbiome engineering under saline-alkali stress.

Long Noncoding RNA LINC00173 Contributes to the Growth, Invasiveness and Chemo-Resistance of Colorectal Cancer Through Regulating miR-765/PLP2 Axis.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNA has been involved in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to illustrate the functions and mechanisms of LINC00173 in CRC progression. METHODS: The expression of LINC00173 in CRC tissues and cell lines were analyzed via qRT-PCR. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to determine survival rate. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to evaluate the interactions among LINC00173, miR-765 and PLP2 (proteolipid protein 2). CCK8 assay, EdU assay, transwell assay and xenograft assay were performed to examine the effect of LINC00173/miR-765/PLP2 axis on proliferation, migration and invasion. The Ki67 expression level in tumors tissues was detected through immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: LINC00173 expression was markedly upregulated in CRC tissues and cells. High expression level of LINC00173 in CRC patients was correlated with poor prognosis. LINC00173 knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and chemo-resistance of CRC cells in vitro. LINC00173 downregulation delayed CRC growth in vivo. LINC00173 interacted with miR-765 to promote PLP2 expression. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that LINC00173 plays an important oncogenic role in CRC via modulating miR-765/PLP2 axis. And LINC00173 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.

Amorphous Ni-Fe-Se hollow nanospheres electrodeposited on nickel foam as a highly active and bifunctional catalyst for alkaline water splitting.

Developing earth-abundant highly efficient catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is indispensable for the widespread implementation of electrochemical water splitting to store renewable energy. Herein, amorphous bimetallic selenide (Ni-Fe-Se) hollow nanospheres electrodeposited on nickel foam (Ni-Fe-Se/NF) are developed as a bifunctional catalyst for the HER and OER. The HER and OER bifunctional activity of Ni-Fe-Se/NF outperforms those of monometallic Ni-Se/NF and Fe-Se/NF owing to the synergy of Ni and Fe in Ni-Fe-Se/NF. Moreover, the amorphous hollow spherical morphology of Ni-Fe-Se/NF increases the active site density and facilitates the mass transfer of electrolytes and H2/O2 products. Ni-Fe-Se/NF drives a current density of 10 mA cm-2 with an overpotential of ∼85 mV for the HER and 100 mA cm-2 with an overpotential of ∼222 mV for the OER. As the HER and OER bifunctional catalyst, Ni-Fe-Se/NF can split alkaline water with total voltages of ∼1.52 V and ∼1.66 V at 10 mA cm-2 and 100 mA cm-2, respectively, and remain stable over 50 hours of operation in 1 M KOH.

Knockdown of PVT1 inhibits IL-1ß-induced injury in chondrocytes by regulating miR-27b-3p/TRAF3 axis.

Long noncoding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been identified to implicate in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the mechanism underlying PVT1 in OA development remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PVT1 on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß)-induced injury in chondrocytes and explore potential mechanism. The cartilage tissues from 25 OA patients and normal controls were collected. Human transformed chondrocytes C28/I2 were stimulated by IL-1ß. The levels of PVT1, microRNA (miR)-27b-3p, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blot. IL-1ß-induced injury was investigated by cell viability, apoptosis, autophagy and inflammatory response using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, western blot and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The target association between miR-27b-3p and PVT1 or TRAF3 was explored by luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays. We found that PVT1 expression was enhanced in OA patients and IL-1ß-treated C28/I2 cells. Silence of PVT1 promoted cell viability and autophagy but suppressed apoptosis and inflammatory response in IL-1ß-treated C28/I2 cells. miR-27b-3p was confirmed as a target of PVT1 and its deficiency reversed the suppressive effect of PVT1 knockdown on IL-1ß-induced injury. TRAF3 was a target of miR-27b-3p and attenuated the effect of miR-27b-3p on IL-1ß-induced injury in C28/I2 cells. Moreover, TRAF3 expression was positively regulated by PVT1 via sponging miR-27b-3p. Collectively, knockdown of PVT1 increased cell viability and autophagy but inhibited apoptosis and inflammatory response in chondrocytes treated by IL-1ß via up-regulating miR-27b-3p and down-regulating TRAF3.

Effects of multiple N, P, and K fertilizer combinations on adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) yield in a semi-arid region of northeastern China.

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) exert various effects on adzuki bean yields. Our research was conducted in a semi-arid area, and four test sites were established in environments that have chernozem or sandy loam soils. During a five-year period, the effects of N, P, and K fertilizers on yield were comprehensively investigated in field trials (2014-2016) and for model-implementation trials (2017-2018), with models established prior to the latter. In the field trials, 23 treatments comprising different N, P, and K combinations significantly affected both yield and yield components, and regression analysis indicated that the experimental results were suitable for model establishment. The model subsequently demonstrated that the yield and the yield components were more sensitive to N and K fertilizer than to P fertilizer. Moreover, the yield and yield components increased. These yield increases were intense in response to the 0.5 to 1.34 levels in terms of the single effects; interaction effects; and the effects of combinations of N, P, and K fertilizers. Moreover, the effects of combinations of N, P, and K fertilizers were more significant on yield than were the single or interaction effects of N, P, and K fertilizers. The optimal fertilizer combination that resulted in high yields (≥1941.53 kg ha-1) comprised 57.23-68.43 kg ha-1 N, 36.04-47.32 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 50.29-61.27 kg ha-1 K2O. The fertilizer combination that resulted in the maximum yield was 62.98 kg ha-1 N, 47.04 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 59.95 kg ha-1 K2O (N:P2O5:K2O = 1:0.75:0.95), which produced the model-expected yield in trials at multiple sites. An economical fertilizer combination was determined on the basis of the best fertilizer measures in consideration of the cost of fertilizer and seed; this combination achieved yields of 2236.17 kg ha-1, the profit was 15,653.16 Yuan ha-1, and the corresponding rates were 57.60 kg ha-1 N, 47.03 kg ha-1 P2O5, and 31.64 kg ha-1 K2O (N:P2O5:K2O = 1:0.82:0.55).

ZIF-67/PAN-800 bifunctional electrocatalyst derived from electrospun fibers for efficient oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived materials have been used as promising eletrocatalysts. However, the aggregation and poor conductivity are still obstacles for those eletrocatalysts. Herein, an effective method has been developed to overcome this problem by in-situ growth of ZIF-67 nanocrystals on the PAN fibers (ZIF-67/PAN) followed by the pyrolysis of ZIF-67/PAN fiber in 800 °C (ZIF-67/PAN-800). The obtained nanocomposite fibers showed that the isolated metal particles were anchored and linked up by carbon fibers, leading to elevated conductivity, preventing metal particles migration, and increasing stability. Such network structure provides facile pathways for efficient mass transport and shortens the electronic transmission path. As evidences, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic tests in this study both showed that ZIF-67/PAN-800 had an excellent bifunctional electrocatalytic activity in alkaline electrolyte. This strategy may give on a new way to synthesis electrocatalytic nanocomposite fibers.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization to achieve expected yield and improve yield components of mung bean.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is an important edible bean in the human diet worldwide. However, its growth, development, and yield may be restricted or limited by insufficient or unbalanced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization. Despite this, there are few long-term studies of the effects of varying levels of N, P, and K combined fertilizers and the optimal fertilization for improving mung bean yield and quality. This study was conducted to optimize the fertilization strategies for high yield and to improve yield components (pods per plant, seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight) in the Bailv9 mung bean cultivar, 23 treatments were tested in 2013-2015, using a three-factor (N, P, and K fertilizers), five-level quadratic orthogonal rotation combination design. Our studies showed that, the N, P, and K fertilizers significantly influenced the pods per plant and yield, which increased and then decreased with the increasing N, P, and K fertilizers. The 100-seed weight was significantly affected by the N and P fertilization, and it was increased consistently with the increasing N fertilizer, and decreased significantly with the increasing P fertilizer. Whereas, the seeds per pod significantly decreased with the increasing N and K fertilizers, and the P fertilizer had no significant effect on it. The NP interaction had a significant effect on yield and pods per plant at high N levels, while the NK interaction had a significant but opposite effect on yield at low N levels. The optimal fertilization conditions to obtain yield >2,141.69 kg ha-1 were 34.38-42.62 kg ha-1 N, 17.55-21.70 kg ha-1 P2O5, and 53.23-67.29 kg ha-1 K2O. Moreover, the optimal N, P, and K fertilization interval to achieve pods per plant > 23.41 and the optimal N fertilization to achieve a 100-seed weight > 6.58 g intersected with the interval for yield, but the seeds per pod did not. The fertilizer ratio for the maximum yield was N:P2O5:K2O = 1:0.5:1.59. Following three years experimentation, the optimal fertilization measures were validated in 2016-2017, the results indicated that yield increased by 19.6% than that obtained using conventional fertilization. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance for high-yield mung bean cultivation using the optimal fertilization measures.

Ccp1 Homodimer Mediates Chromatin Integrity by Antagonizing CENP-A Loading.

CENP-A is a centromere-specific histone 3 variant essential for centromere specification. CENP-A partially replaces canonical histone H3 at the centromeres. How the particular CENP-A/H3 ratio at centromeres is precisely maintained is unknown. It also remains unclear how CENP-A is excluded from non-centromeric chromatin. Here, we identify Ccp1, an uncharacterized NAP family protein in fission yeast that antagonizes CENP-A loading at both centromeric and non-centromeric regions. Like the CENP-A loading factor HJURP, Ccp1 interacts with CENP-A and is recruited to centromeres at the end of mitosis in a Mis16-dependent manner. These data indicate that factors with opposing CENP-A loading activities are recruited to centromeres. Furthermore, Ccp1 also cooperates with H2A.Z to evict CENP-A assembled in euchromatin. Structural analyses indicate that Ccp1 forms a homodimer that is required for its anti-CENP-A loading activity. Our study establishes mechanisms for maintenance of CENP-A homeostasis at centromeres and the prevention of ectopic assembly of centromeres.

NiMnO3/NiMn2O4 Oxides Synthesized via the Aid of Pollen: Ilmenite/Spinel Hybrid Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis.

This work develops the NiMnO3/NiMn2O4 ilmenite/spinel hybrid oxides as highly efficient bifunctional catalysts toward both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). They are prepared with the aid of pollen, using a two-step annealing method. The interaction between NiMnO3 and NiMn2O4 nanoparticles results in an enhanced charge transfer between nanoparticles and active species in electrolytes, which is favorable for their electrocatalytic activities. The surface oxidation states of Ni and Mn for the hybrid oxides can be tuned by pollen, which greatly influences the OER and ORR activities and the overall bifunctional activity. The surface Ni3+ facilitates OER activity, while the surface Mn3+ with a small amount of Mn4+ favors ORR processes. Through optimization, 0.61NiMnO3/NiMn2O4 shows the highest OER activity, while 1.57NiMnO3/NiMn2O4 can outperform the others in promoting ORR processes. Between them, 0.61NiMnO3/NiMn2O4 exhibits the higher overall bifunctional activity. Furthermore, both of the optimized hybrid oxides show excellent durability during both OER and ORR processes. They can be considered as promising bifunctional catalysts for OER/ORR.

Development of Gene-Based SSR Markers in Rice Bean (Vigna umbellata L.) Based on Transcriptome Data.

Rice bean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi) is a warm season annual legume mainly grown in East Asia. Only scarce genomic resources are currently available for this legume crop species and no simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers have been specifically developed for rice bean yet. In this study, approximately 26 million high quality cDNA sequence reads were obtained from rice bean using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology and assembled into 71,929 unigenes with an average length of 986 bp. Of these unigenes, 38,840 (33.2%) showed significant similarity to proteins in the NCBI non-redundant protein and nucleotide sequence databases. Furthermore, 30,170 (76.3%) could be classified into gene ontology categories, 25,451 (64.4%) into Swiss-Prot categories and 21,982 (55.6%) into KOG database categories (E-value < 1.0E-5). A total of 9,301 (23.5%) were mapped onto 118 pathways using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway database. A total of 3,011 genic SSRs were identified as potential molecular markers. AG/CT (30.3%), AAG/CTT (8.1%) and AGAA/TTCT (20.0%) are the three main repeat motifs. A total of 300 SSR loci were randomly selected for validation by using PCR amplification. Of these loci, 23 primer pairs were polymorphic among 32 rice bean accessions. A UPGMA dendrogram revealed three major clusters among 32 rice bean accessions. The large number of SSR-containing sequences and genic SSRs in this study will be valuable for the construction of high-resolution genetic linkage maps, association or comparative mapping and genetic analyses of various Vigna species.

Preparation of Pd-based metal monolithic catalysts and a study of their performance in the catalytic combustion of methane.

A series of Pd/SBA-15/Al2O3/FeCrAl and Pd/5 wt% Ce(1-x)Zr(x)O2/SBA-15/Al2O3/FeCrAl (x = 0-1) metal monolithic catalysts were prepared and characterized by various techniques. The catalytic activity and the stability of the catalysts for methane combustion were evaluated. All the catalysts retain the SBA-15 mesoporous structure, with PdO being confined in its channels. The results show that the addition of Ce(1-x)Zr(x)O2 as promoters can improve the activity and stability of the catalysts. The stabilities of the metal monolithic catalysts are much better than those of Pd/ SBA-15 particle catalysts. The catalyst with ZrO2 as promoter exhibits the best activity and stability (T90= 395 degrees C), and the conversion of methane remains constant during the 700 h test.